Notification method relating to at least one operation implemented by a device forming a node of a network

ABSTRACT

A notification method is implemented by at least one first device of a plurality of devices forming nodes of a network. The first device is capable of issuing, to at least one second device of the plurality and/or of receiving from at least one second device of the plurality, at least one data message via a first communication link. The notification method is designed to transmit, by using said first device, at least one notification message signaling at least one operation relating to at least one said data message and implemented by a functional entity of said first device. The notification message includes an identifier of said first device, an identifier of said functional entity and an identifier of said data message. Also provided is a method for processing notification messages, a device forming a node of a network and a processing device that respectively implement the notification method and the processing method.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Section 371 National Stage Application of International Application No. PCT/FR2016/051566, filed Jun. 24, 2016, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and published as WO 2016/207575 on Dec. 29, 2016, not in English.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The field of the invention is that of telecommunications.

The invention relates more particularly to the field of the observation of communication networks while operational so as to verify the behavior thereof or to measure the performance thereof.

It applies particularly to networks formed of communicating objects that are constrained as regards resources.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Known systems make it possible to observe the state of each node of a network. In these systems, a central server, called the NOC (“Network Operation Center”), informs itself about operating parameters and the performance measurements by explicitly interrogating the nodes of the network, that is to say the communicating objects, through the network while operational. This interrogation is in particular performed by means of specific protocols such as the SNMP (for “Simple Network Management Protocol”) protocol.

On the one hand, this technique requires the use of bandwidth at the network level. The bandwidth used increases with the intensity of observation.

On the other hand, the interrogations being asynchronous with respect to the internal changes of state of the observed nodes, the interrogation process must be intense in order to hope to observe all the successive states, but without a guarantee being acquired.

This has the negative effects of consuming significant resources at the level of the observed nodes if fine observation is required.

These systems are well adapted for networks of nodes in which the nodes have high capacities in terms of bandwidth and energy.

On the other hand, they are not adapted for networks of nodes in which the nodes are constrained as regards energy and/or bandwidth.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment of the invention pertains to a notification method implemented by at least one first device of a plurality of devices forming nodes of a network, said first device being able to send to at least one second device of the plurality, and/or to receive from at least one second device of the plurality, at least one data message via a first communication link.

According to the invention, the notification method comprises a step of transmission, by said first device, of at least one notification message signaling at least one operation relating to at least one said data message and implemented by a functional entity of said first device, said notification message comprising an identifier of said first device, an identifier of said functional entity and an identifier of said data message.

Notification messages are sent by devices forming a node of a network. Each notification message signals the realization of at least one operation by a device forming a node of a network of a plurality of devices forming nodes of this network.

More precisely, each notification message comprises a message identifier, a device identifier and an identifier of a functional module of the device.

The various notification messages sent can thereafter be analyzed at the level of a device having received the messages or at the level of a device able to access the notification messages received.

During this analysis, the functional module identifier (i.e. functional entity identifier) makes it possible to obtain details about the processing of a data message received or to be sent, carried out by a node-forming device. It is thus possible to detect behavioral problems of a particular functional module.

It is possible for example to identify a failed device for example by noting that it does not re-send the data messages that it receives.

This detection allows faster fault repair of the implicated device.

The data messages are exchanged via a first communication link. By sending the notification messages via a second communication link different from the first link, it is made possible not to disturb the exchange of data messages via the first communication link.

According to a particular characteristic of the notification method, said message identifier is generated by said first device during the reception by said first device of a data message via the first communication link or during the creation of a data message by the first device.

The reception of a data message, respectively the creation of a data message, is the first operation carried out by a device in relation to a data message. The message identifier generated is thereafter transmitted with the data message during the transfer from one functional module of the device to another functional module of this device. The data message can be modified by a functional module whilst the associated message identifier does not vary.

The message identifier is unique at the level of a device. This makes it possible to identify in a definite manner the processings applied to a data message received or generated by the device.

According to another particular characteristic of the notification method, said notification message comprises said data message.

The introduction of a data message into the notification messages makes it possible to determine the journey of the data messages between devices. It makes it possible in particular to know which device or which devices has or have received a data message sent by a device. Indeed, a data message sent is received without modification of the data that it contains.

According to another particular characteristic of the notification method, used alone or in combination with the previous characteristics, said notification message comprises an identifier of said operation.

The operation identifier makes it possible to precisely ascertain the processings performed by a device.

According to another particular characteristic of the notification method, used alone or in combination with the previous characteristics, said notification message comprises a date.

The date-stamping of the messages at the level of the device makes it possible to establish in a definite manner the chronology of the notification messages and, consequently, the chronology of the operations performed.

According to another particular characteristic of the notification method, used alone or in combination with the previous characteristics, said at least one notification message is transmitted via a second communication link.

Thus, the devices forming nodes of the network communicate with the other devices of the network via a first link and signal the implementation of the operations that they carry out via another link. By using a communication link different from the first link to signal the implementation of an operation, it is made possible not to disturb the exchange of data messages between the various devices forming nodes of the network. Thus, this makes it possible to observe the network under real operating conditions.

According to a particular embodiment, a notification message signaling an operation is transmitted by a device forming a node of the network in synchronization with the implementation of the signaled operation.

The messages are sent spontaneously by the devices forming nodes which thus signal the execution of the operations that they carry out.

The invention also pertains to a method for processing notification messages sent by at least one first device of a plurality of devices forming nodes of a network, said first device being able to send to at least one second device of the plurality, and/or to receive from at least one second device of the plurality, at least one data message via a first communication link.

The processing method comprises the following steps implemented by a processing device:

-   -   reception, originating from at least one device of the plurality         of devices, of a plurality of notification messages signaling at         least one operation (OP) relating to at least one said data         message and implemented by a functional entity of said at least         one device, said notification message comprising an identifier         of said device, an identifier of said functional entity and an         identifier of said data message; and     -   determination of at least one part of a journey performed by at         least one said data message within said network by analysis of         notification messages received.

According to a particular embodiment of the processing method, at least some of said notification messages received comprise a said data message and said journey comprises at least one first journey part within a device of the plurality of devices and a second journey part between a first device of said plurality and a second device of said plurality, said first journey part being determined as a function of data message identifiers contained in said notification messages and said second part being determined by comparing data messages contained in said notification messages.

The invention also pertains to a device forming a node of a network of a plurality of devices forming nodes of said network, said device being able to send to at least one second device of the plurality, and/or to receive from at least one second device of the plurality, at least one data message via a first communication link (L1),

characterized in that it comprises a communication module, adapted to transmit a notification message signaling at least one operation relating to at least one said data message and implemented by a functional entity of said device, said notification message comprising an identifier of said device, an identifier of said functional entity and an identifier of said message.

The invention also pertains to a processing device comprising:

-   -   a module for receiving a plurality of notification messages         originating from at least one device forming a node of a network         of a plurality of devices forming nodes of said network, said         device being able to send to at least one second device of the         plurality, and/or to receive from at least one second device of         the plurality, at least one data message via a first         communication link,

a said notification message signaling at least one operation relating to at least one said data message and implemented by a functional entity of said device, said notification message comprising an identifier of said device, an identifier of said functional entity and an identifier of said message; and

-   -   a processing module adapted to analyze at least some of the         notification messages received with a view to reconstructing at         least one part of a journey performed by at least one said data         message within said network.

According to a preferred implementation, the various steps of the notification method, respectively of the processing method, according to the invention are implemented by a software package or computer program.

The invention thus relates to a software package or program, able to be executed by a computer or by a data processor, this software package/program comprising instructions for controlling the execution of the steps of a notification method or of a processing method. These instructions are intended to be stored in a memory of a computing device, loaded and then executed by a processor of this computing device.

This software package/program can use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or of code intermediate between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

The computing device can be implemented by one or more physically distinct machines and exhibits globally the architecture of a computer, including constituents of such an architecture: data memory(memories), processor(s), communication bus, hardware interface(s) for connecting this computing device to a network or another item of equipment, user interface(s), etc.

The invention also relates to an information medium readable by a data processor, and comprising instructions of a program such as that mentioned hereinabove. The information medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other particularities and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in the following description of an embodiment given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a general diagram illustrating a system according to a first embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a block diagram representing three devices forming a node of a network and a processing device according to one embodiment of the invention,

FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c are flowcharts illustrating various steps of a notification method and of a processing method according to a first embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the various steps of a processing method according to one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 5 is a table illustrating notification messages received according to one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the various steps of an analysis step of a processing method according to one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating journeys performed by data messages according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The invention is implemented by means of software components and/or hardware components. In this respect, the term “module” can correspond in this document either to a software component, or to a hardware component or to a set of hardware components and/or software components, which is able to implement a function or a set of functions, according to what is described hereinbelow for the module concerned.

A software component corresponds to one or more computer programs, one or more subprograms of a program, or more generally to any element of a program or of a software package. Such a software component is stored in memory and then loaded and executed by a data processor of a physical entity (terminal, server, gateway, set-top-box, router, etc.) and is able to access the hardware resources of this physical entity (memories, recording media, communication buses, electronic input/output cards, user interfaces, etc.).

In the same manner, a hardware component corresponds to any element of a hardware set. It can entail a programmable hardware component or one with integrated processor for software execution, for example an integrated circuit, a chip card, an electronic card for the execution of firmware, etc.

An embodiment of a notification method and of a processing method will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

FIG. 1 represents a system SY1 comprising a plurality of devices NA, NB, NC . . . distributed in a geographical area and a processing device DT1.

A device of the plurality is for example a sensor, for example a sensor of measurements, such as a water or electricity meter.

More generally, such a device is a communicating object, that is to say a device able to transmit data destined for one or more other devices of the plurality and/or to receive data originating from another device of the plurality.

Each device of the plurality is thus able to communicate with one or more other devices of the plurality via a communication link L1.

The communication link L1 represents a first communication link within the meaning of the invention.

The communication link L1 is for example a wireless link, for example a radio link. The communication link is for example of Wifi type or of Bluetooth type. By way of alternative, the communication link L1 is a wired link.

The devices NA, NB . . . are thus organized as a communication network R and each device NA, NB, NC . . . of the plurality is a device forming a node of this network R.

Each device of the plurality is able to communicate with another device of the plurality either directly or by way of one or more other devices of the plurality.

Each device of the plurality is also able to transmit information intended for the processing device DT1 via a communication link L2.

The communication link L2 represents a second communication link within the meaning of the invention.

In the embodiment described, the data transmitted by a device of the plurality destined for the processing device DT1 travel through a relay device associated with this device of the plurality. A second communication link is, in this case, a link linking a device of the plurality and the processing device DT1, via a relay device.

In the embodiment described, a relay device is associated with each node-forming device and each relay device is associated with a single device of the plurality.

By way of alternative, a relay device is associated with several node-forming devices.

For the sake of clarity of FIG. 1, only relay devices DRA, DRB and DRC respectively associated with the devices NA, NB and NC have been represented.

The relay devices are able to communicate with the processing device DT1 via a communication network RM.

In the embodiment described, the second link L2 is different from the first link L1.

For example, the first communication link L1 is a radio link of a first predetermined frequency and the communication link L2 between a device of the plurality and the associated relay device is a radio link of a second predetermined frequency.

By way of alternative, the first communication link L1 is a wireless link of Wifi, Bluetooth type . . . or else a wired link.

Also, by way of alternative, the communication link L2 is a near-field wireless link, a wireless link of Wifi or Bluetooth type, a wired link . . . .

Also, by way of alternative, the node-forming devices and the associated relay devices communicate via the first communication link L1.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram representing the devices NA, NB and NC of the plurality of devices and the processing device DT1 according to one embodiment.

Each device of the plurality comprises, in the embodiment described, a generating module GEN, an analysis module ANL, an encapsulation module ENC, a first communication module COM1 and a second communication module COM2.

The first communication module COM1 is able to receive and to send signals on the communication link L1. It is thus able to receive signals from another device of the network R and to send signals destined for another device of the network R or of the collection device DC.

The generating module GEN is for example an application entity able to generate messages of application data.

The analysis module ANL is for example an application entity able to process application data received.

The encapsulation module ENC is for example an entity able to encapsulate the application messages originating from the generating module GEN or from the analysis module ANL and to decapsulate the application messages (that is to say to extract the application data) intended for the first communication module COM1.

Each device NA, NB, NC thus comprises several functional modules or entities, here four functional entities GEN, ANL, ENC, COM1 adapted to process data messages received or to be sent via the communication link L1.

No limitation is attached to the number and to the nature of the functional entities.

In the present description, the terms modules and entities are equivalent.

Each device NA, NB, NC also comprises a second communication module COM2 for communicating with the processing device DT1 via the communication link L2.

The second communication module COM2 is able to send notification messages via the communication link L2.

Each device of the plurality also comprises, in a known manner, in particular a processing unit MT equipped with a microprocessor, one or more storage memories MEM, for example of EEPROM type, and a random-access memory of RAM type.

The storage memory MEM comprises registers storing a computer program PG comprising program instructions adapted for implementing a notification method according to one embodiment of the invention described subsequently with reference to FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3 c.

The processing device DT1 comprises a processing unit UT equipped with a microprocessor, one or more storage memories MM, for example of EEPROM type, and a random-access memory of RAM type.

The processing device DT1 comprises in particular a storage memory BD.

The processing device DT1 also comprises a reception module REC, a recording module ENR and a module for processing messages MTM.

The processing device DT1 can comprise in a conventional and non-exhaustive manner the following elements: a keyboard, a viewing screen, a display module for display on the viewing screen . . . .

The storage memory MM comprises registers storing a computer program PG2 comprising program instructions adapted for implementing a processing method according to one embodiment of the invention described subsequently with reference to FIG. 5.

An embodiment of a notification method implemented within the system SY1 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3 c.

With reference to FIG. 3a , during a step SA0, the generating module GEN of the device NA generates a first data message MG1. The message MG1 contains for example data of measurements DM carried out by the device NA. The measurements data DM are for example obtained by means of a probe of the device NA.

The generation of the data message MG1 represents an operation OP1 relating to the data message MG1.

During a step SA2, the generating module GEN of the device NA generates a message identifier IMG1.

The message identifier IMG1 is a unique identifier at the level of the device NA.

Next, during a step SA4, the generating module GEN of the device NA constructs a notification message MS1.

The notification message MS1 contains an identifier IDNA of the device NA, an identifier IGA of the generating module GEN of the device NA, an identifier IOP1 of the operation OP1 implemented during step SA0, the message identifier IMG1 and the data message MG1.

The notification message MS1 can also contain a temporal information item, for example a date on which the operation OP1 was implemented.

Step SA4 is followed by a step SA6 during which the notification message MS1 is transmitted by the generating module GEN of the device NA to the second communication module COM2 of the device NA.

The notification message MS1 is for example generated and transmitted simultaneously with the implementation of the operation OP1.

During a step SA8, the second communication module COM2 sends the notification message MS1 destined for the processing device DT1 via the communication link L2.

The notification message MS1 signals the implementation of the operation OP1.

It is transmitted spontaneously by the device NA, via the communication link L2.

The notification message MS1 is received by the processing device DT1 during a step ST2.

During a step SA10, the generating module GEN of the device NA dispatches the data message MG1 and the message identifier IMG1 to the encapsulation module ENC of the device NA.

During a step SA12, subsequent to the reception of the data message MG1, the encapsulation module ENC of the device NA constructs a second data message MG2 on the basis of the data message MG1 received. Step SA12 consists for example in adding data, for example header data, to the measurement data DM of the data message MG1.

By way of alternative, step SA12 is a step consisting in changing the format of the data of the message MG1.

The construction of the data message MG2 represents an operation OP2 relating to the data message MG1.

During a step SA14, the encapsulation module ENC of the device NA constructs a notification message MS2. The notification message MS2 contains the identifier IDNA of the device NA, an identifier IGE of the encapsulation module ENC of the device NA, an identifier IOP2 of the operation OP2, the message identifier IMG1 received from the generating module GEN and the data message MG2.

Step SA14 is followed by a step SA16 during which the notification message MS2 is transmitted by the encapsulation module ENC of the device NA to the second communication module COM2 of the device NA.

During a step SA18, the second communication module COM2 sends the notification message MS2 destined for the processing device DT1 via the communication link L2.

The notification message MS2 signals the implementation of the operation OP2 by the encapsulation module ENC of the device NA.

The notification message MS2 is received by the observation device during a step ST4.

During a step SA20, the encapsulation module ENC of the device NA dispatches the message MG2 and the message identifier IMG1 to the first communication module COM1 of the device NA.

During a step SA22, subsequent to the reception of the message MG2, the first communication module COM1 of the device NA generates a signal corresponding to the message MG2 on the basis of the message MG2 received and transmits this signal via the communication link L1.

The transmission of the generated signal represents an operation OP3 relating to the data message MG1.

During a step ST24, the first communication module COM1 of the device NA constructs a notification message MS3. The notification message MS3 contains the identifier IDNA of the device NA, an identifier IGC1 of the first communication module COM1 of the device NA, an identifier IOP3 of the operation OP3, the message identifier IMG1 received from the encapsulation module ENC and the data message MG2.

By way of alternative, the first communication module COM1 modifies the message MG2 before dispatch via the communication link L1. In this case, the data message contained in the notification message MS3 is the modified message MG2.

Step SA24 is followed by a step SA26 during which the notification message MS3 is transmitted by the first communication module COM1 of the device NA to the second communication module COM2 of the device NA.

During a step SA28, the second communication module COM2 sends the notification message MS3 destined for the observation device DT1 via the communication link L2.

The notification message MS3 signals the implementation of the operation OP3 by the first communication module COM1 of the device NA.

The notification message MS3 is received by the observation device during a step ST6.

Steps SA0 to SA28 and ST2 to ST6 are repeated during the implementation of one or more other generations of data message by the device NA.

Steps SA2, SA4, SA6, SA8, SA14, SA16, SA18, SA24, SA26 and SA28, implemented by the device NA, represent steps of the notification method.

With reference to FIG. 3b , during a step SB0, similar to step SA0, the generating module GEN of the device NB generates a data message MG4. The message MG4 contains for example data of measurements DM1 carried out by the device NB.

The generation of the data message MG4 represents the operation OP1.

Step SB0 is implemented independently of steps SA0 to SA28. It is for example implemented very shortly after step SA0.

During a step SB2, the generating module GEN of the device NB generates a message identifier IMG4.

The message identifier IMG4 is a unique identifier at the level of the device NB.

Next, during a step SB4, similar to step SA4, the generating module GEN of the device NB constructs a notification message MS4.

The notification message MS4 contains an identifier IDNB of the device NB, an identifier IGB of the generating module GEN of the device NB, the identifier IOP1 of the operation OP1, the message identifier IMG4 and the data message MG4.

Step SB4 is followed by a step SB6 during which the notification message MS4 is transmitted by the generating module GEN of the device NB to the second communication module COM2 of the device NB.

During a step SB8, the second communication module COM2 sends the notification message MS4 destined for the processing device DT1 via the communication link L2.

The notification message MS4 signals the implementation of the operation OP1 by the device NB.

The notification message MS4 is received by the observation device DT1 during a step ST8.

During a step SB10, similar to step SA10, the generating module GEN of the device NB dispatches the data message MG4 and the message identifier IMG4 to the encapsulation module ENC of the device NB.

During a step SB12, subsequent to the reception of the data message MG4, the encapsulation module ENC of the device NB constructs a second data message MG5 on the basis of the message MG4 received. Step SB12 comprises for example the addition of data, for example header data, to the measurement data DM1 of the data message MG4.

The construction of the data message MG2 represents the operation OP2.

During a step SB14, the encapsulation module ENC of the device NB constructs a notification message MS5. The notification message MS2 contains the identifier IDNB of the device NB, an identifier IGE of the encapsulation module ENC of the device NB, the identifier IOP2 of the operation OP2, the message identifier IMG4 received from the generating module GEN and the data message MG5.

Step SB14 is followed by a step SB16 during which the notification message MS5 is transmitted by the encapsulation module ENC of the device NB to the second communication module COM2 of the device NB.

During a step SB18, the second communication module COM2 sends the notification message MS5 destined for the processing device DT1 via the communication link L2.

The notification message MS5 signals the implementation of the operation OP2 by the encapsulation module ENC of the device NB.

The notification message MS5 is received by the observation device during a step ST10. During a step SB20, the encapsulation module ENC of the device NB dispatches the message MG5 and the message identifier IMG4 to the first communication module COM1 of the device NB.

During a step SB22, subsequent to the reception of the message MG5, the first communication module COM1 of the device NB generates a signal corresponding to the message MG5 received and transmits this signal via the communication link L1.

The transmission of the generated signal represents the operation OP3.

During a step SB24, the first communication module COM1 of the device NB constructs a notification message MS6. The notification message MS6 contains the identifier IDNB of the device NB, the identifier IGC1 of the first communication module COM1 of the device NB, the identifier IOP3 of the operation OP3, the message identifier IMG4 received from the encapsulation module and the data message MG5.

Step SB24 is followed by a step SB26 during which the notification message MS6 is transmitted by the first communication module COM1 of the device NB to the second communication module COM2 of the device NB.

During a step SB28, the second communication module COM2 sends the notification message MS6 destined for the processing device DT1 via the communication link L2.

The notification message MS6 signals the implementation of the operation OP3 by the first communication module COM1 of the device NB.

The notification message MS6 is received by the observation device during a step ST12.

Steps SB0 to SB28 and ST8 to ST12 are repeated during the implementation of one or more other generations of data message by the device NB.

Steps SB2, SB4, SB6, SB8, SB14, SB16, SB18, SB24, SB26 and SB28, implemented by the device NB, represent steps of the notification method.

With reference to FIG. 3c , during a step SC0, a data message MG8 is received by the device NC. More precisely, the data message MG8 is received via the first communication link L1 by the first communication module COM1 of the device NC.

The reception of the data message MG4 represents an operation OP4.

During a step SC2, the first communication module COM1 of the device NC generates a message identifier IMG8.

The message identifier IMG8 is a unique identifier at the level of the device NC.

Next, during a step SC4, the first communication module COM1 of the device NC constructs a notification message MS8.

The notification message MS8 contains an identifier IDNC of the device NC, an identifier IGC1 of the first communication module COM1 of the device NC, an identifier IOP4 of the operation OP4, the message identifier IMG8 and the data message MG8.

Step SC4 is followed by a step SC6 during which the notification message MS8 is transmitted by the first communication module COM1 of the device NC to the second communication module COM2 of the device NC.

During a step SC8, the second communication module COM2 sends the notification message MS8 destined for the processing device DT1 via the communication link L2.

The notification message MS8 signals the implementation of the operation OP4.

The notification message MS8 is received by the observation device DT1 during a step ST14.

During a step SC10, the first communication module COM1 of the device NC dispatches the data message MG8 and the message identifier IMG8 to the analysis module ANL of the device NC.

During a step SC12, subsequent to the reception of the data message MG8, the analysis module ANL of the device NC processes the message MG8 received.

During this processing, it can for example transmit the message to the encapsulation module ENC of the device NC. It then carries out an operation OP5.

It can also perform another processing on the data of the message MG8, for example record these data without transmitting the message to the encapsulation module ENC of the device NC. It then carries out an operation OP6.

Step SC12 is followed by a step SC14 during which the analysis module ANL of the device NC constructs a notification message MS9.

The notification message MS9 contains the identifier IDNC of the device NC, an identifier IAN of the analysis module ANL of the device NC, an identifier IOP5 or IOP6 of the operation implemented during step SC12, the message identifier IMG8 and the data message MG9.

Step SC14 is followed by a step SC16 during which the notification message MS9 is transmitted by the analysis module ANL of the device NC to the second communication module COM2 of the device NC.

During a step SB18, the second communication module COM2 sends the notification message MS9 destined for the processing device DT1 via the communication link L2.

The notification message MS9 signals the implementation of the operation OP5 or OP6 by the analysis module ANL of the device NC.

The notification message MS9 is received by the observation device DT1 during a step ST16.

Steps SC2, SC4, SC6, SC8, SC14, SC16 and SC18, implemented by the device NC, represent steps of the notification method.

Steps ST2 to ST16, implemented by the processing device DT1, represent steps of the processing method.

An embodiment of a processing method will now be described with reference to FIG. 4.

During a step E100, notification messages are received by the reception module REC of the processing device DT1.

Step E100 comprises for example steps ST2 to ST14 described previously in conjunction with FIGS. 3a, 3b , 3 c.

FIG. 5 represents a table summarizing the notification messages MS1 to MS9 received by the processing device DT1 during steps ST2 to ST16.

The notification messages are for example recorded in a memory, for example the storage memory BD, of the processing device DT1 in tandem with their reception by the processing device DT1.

The messages are for example recorded in association with a reception date added by the processing device DT1.

By way of alternative, the messages received comprise a date.

During a step E200, all or part of the notification messages received is analyzed by the processing module MTM of the processing device DT1 to for example verify the behavior of the various devices or determine the path of all or part of the data messages transmitted in the network R.

A particular embodiment of the analysis step E200 will now be described with reference to FIG. 6.

The analysis performed here is a determination of a path of data messages and comprises steps E202 to E206.

During a step E202, the processing module MTM groups together the notification messages received comprising one and the same message identifier and one and the same device identifier. It thus obtains, in the case of the example of the table of FIG. 5, three groups G1, G2 and G3. The first group G1 contains the notification messages comprising the message identifier IMG1 and the device identifier NA. The second group G2 contains the notification messages comprising the message identifier IMG4 and the device identifier NB. The third group G3 contains the notification messages comprising the message identifier IMG8 and the device identifier NC.

A created group G1, G2 or G3 thus contains all the notification messages sent by a device in relation to a message identifier generated by this device, that is to say in relation to a data message received or created by this device.

During a step E204, the processing module MTM classes the messages of each group as a function of the date associated with the messages or of the order of arrival at the level of the processing device DT1. By virtue of the identifier of entities, it obtains a first journey part PA1 corresponding to the journey performed by a data message inside a device.

During a step E206, the processing module MTM determines a second journey part PA2 corresponding to the journey of the messages between devices.

The journey of a message between a first device and a second device is obtained by comparing the data messages contained in the notification messages signaling the dispatching of a data message via the first communication link L1 with the data messages contained in the notification messages signaling the reception of a data message via the first communication link L1.

Stated otherwise, the data messages contained in the notification messages containing the operation identifier OP4 are compared with the data messages contained in the notification messages containing the operation identifier OP3.

For example, the data message MG8 included in the message MS8 is compared with the data message MG2 included in the message MS3 and with the data message MG5 included in the message MS6.

The data messages MG8 and MG5 being identical, the processing module MTM determines that the data message sent by the device NB has been received by the device NC.

FIG. 7 illustrates a journey performed by the data message created by the device NA and a journey performed by the data message created by the device NB.

The journey performed by the data message created by the device NA is a journey TA1 performed by a data message within the device NA. This journey TA1 comprises sub-journeys TA11 and TA12.

The journey performed by the data message created by the device NB comprises a first journey part TB1 performed by a data message within the device NB and a second journey part TJB between the device NB and the device NC. The first journey part TB1 comprises sub-journeys TB11 and TB12.

In the embodiment described, the operations implemented and signaled by the devices forming nodes are the generation of a data message, the reception or the dispatching of a data message, the processing of a data message by the encapsulation module, the processing of a data message received.

Other operations can be signaled.

In the embodiment described, each functional entity signals only one operation for a data message.

As a variant, a functional entity can signal several operations for one and the same data message. For example, it can signal the handling of a data message, its processing and then the dispatching of the message to another functional entity.

In the exemplary embodiments described, each transmitted notification message destined for the processing device DT1 signals a single operation.

By way of alternative, a notification message can signal several operations.

In the embodiment described, each notification message comprises an associated data message. As a variant, only the messages signaling the reception or the sending of data via the communication link L1 comprise an associated data message.

In the embodiment described, the messages signaling operations implemented within a node-forming device travel between the node-forming device and the processing device DT1, via a relay device.

As a variant, the messages are sent via the first communication link and the network R and received by the processing device DT1, without traveling through a relay device.

In the embodiment described, the notification messages are received and analyzed by one and the same item of equipment, the processing device DT1.

By way of alternative, the notification messages are received and recorded by a first item of equipment and analyzed by a second item of equipment. In this case, the notification messages are recorded by the first item of equipment in a memory accessible by the second item of equipment, for example a specific memory area of a telecommunication network.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention remedies inadequacies/drawbacks of the prior art and/or affords improvements thereto.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more examples, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the disclosure and/or the appended claims. 

1. A notification method implemented by at least one first device of a plurality of devices forming nodes of a network, wherein the method comprises: said first device sending to at least one second device of the plurality, and/or receiving from at least one second device of the plurality, at least one data message via a first communication link; and transmitting, by said first device, at least one notification message signaling at least one operation relating to the at least one data message and implemented by a functional entity of said first device, said notification message comprising an identifier of said first device, an identifier of said functional entity and an identifier of said data message.
 2. The notification method as claimed in claim 1, in which said message identifier is generated by said first device during the reception by said first device of the data message via the first communication link or during the creation of the data message by the first device.
 3. The notification method as claimed in claim 1, in which said notification message comprises said data message.
 4. The notification method as claimed in claim 1, in which said notification message comprises an identifier of said operation.
 5. The notification method as claimed in claim 1, in which said notification message comprises a date.
 6. The notification method as claimed in claim 1, in which said at least one notification message is transmitted via a second communication link.
 7. A method for processing notification messages sent by at least one first device of a plurality of devices forming nodes of a network, said first device being able to send to at least one second device of the plurality, and/or to receive from at least one second device of the plurality, at least one data message via a first communication link, wherein the method comprises the following acts implemented by a processing device: obtaining a plurality of notification messages sent by at least one device of the plurality of devices, at least one of said notification messages signaling at least one operation relating to the at least one data message and implemented by a functional entity of said at least one first device, said notification message comprising an identifier of said at least one first device, an identifier of said functional entity and an identifier of said data message; and determining at least one part of a journey performed by at least one said data message within said network by analysis of the notification messages received.
 8. The processing method as claimed in claim 7, in which at least some of said notification messages received comprise the at least one data message and in which said journey comprises at least one first journey part within a device of the plurality of devices and a second journey part between the first device of said plurality and a second device of said plurality, said first journey part being determined as a function of data message identifiers contained in said notification messages and said second part being determined by comparing data messages contained in said notification messages.
 9. A first device forming a node of a network of a plurality of devices forming nodes of said network, said first device comprising: a processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the processor configure the first device to perform acts comprising: sending to at least one second device of the plurality, and/or receiving from at least one second device of the plurality, at least one data message via a first communication link; and transmitting a notification message signaling at least one operation relating to the at least one data message and implemented by a functional entity of said first device, said notification message comprising an identifier of said first device, an identifier of said functional entity and an identifier of said data message.
 10. A processing device, which comprises: a processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the processor configure the first device to perform acts comprising: obtaining a plurality of notification messages originating from at least one first device forming a node of a network of a plurality of devices forming nodes of said network, said device being able to send to at least one second device of the plurality, and/or to receive from at least one second device of the plurality, at least one data message via a first communication link, a said notification message signaling at least one operation relating to the at least one said data message and implemented by a functional entity of said first device, said notification message comprising an identifier of said first device, an identifier of said functional entity and an identifier of said data message; and analyzing at least some of the notification messages received with a view to reconstructing at least one part of a journey performed by the at least one data message within said network. 